Are Music Lessons Worth the Cost?

07/08/2017 11:46
● Published by Sandy Kauten

Does
your child love to sing? Love plunking on the piano or pounding on the drum? Do
you think you might have a future musician in your home? The average cost of
private music lessons ranges from $15-40 per half hour (www.takelessons.com).
Keep in mind the cost will vary depending on location and the expertise of
teacher. With these numbers, private lessons cost parents $1,000 to $2,000 a
year. This may make you wonder, are music lessons really worth it? Let’s look
at some short and long-term benefits of music lessons.

Discipline

Learning
to play beautiful music doesn’t happen overnight. All students must start from
the beginning playing scales and mastering basic skills. In our society,
instant gratification is the norm. Music teaches the value of patience and
discipline because children must set aside time for practice and make it part
of their routine to further their skills.

Work ethic

Music
teaches children a good work ethic because they see the value of practice as
they improve and reach new achievements. Students will learn how dedication
creates good results, while failing to do all the necessary practice results in
mediocre results. These lessons carry into school studies and future
employment.

Memory

Is
your child always forgetting things? Music requires kids to practice
memorization. Even if sheet music is used, students memorize how to play each
note and the sheet music eventually becomes a guide. Students can use their
developing memorization skills in a variety of ways in school and at home.

Math and language skills

Music
helps develop math and language skills that gives kids an edge in school.
“Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain
related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better
developed with music.” (National Association for Music Education)

Teamwork

Teamwork
isn’t just for sports. Music students may have an opportunity to participate in
a band or orchestra. This provides kids experience working as a team and a
sense of camaraderie. Teamwork develops social skills that they will use for a
lifetime.

Confidence and social development

Kids
will gain confidence as they begin to perform music for an audience. This helps
kids learn to face their fears and builds self-esteem. As kids build up this
confidence, they are more likely to boost their communication skills and have
increased social development.

Lifelong challenge

In
music, there is always room for improvement.
This creates the opportunity for students of any age to improve and
challenge themselves for many years to come.

Stress relief

Playing
an instrument can be an outlet for kids. Music can be relaxing and a form of
stress relief, as well as a way to express yourself creatively. Kids who have
this outlet are less likely to find negative ways to relieve stress, like drugs
and alcohol.

Expression and creativity

Kids
who play music are trained to think creatively. The ability to think outside of
the box in many other situations is a coveted asset among many employers.

Improved coordination

Kids
who play instruments develop their hand-eye coordination. Just like in sports,
playing an instrument requires these skills and develops their motor skills.

Higher test scores

Studies
show that children who are exposed to music education have higher SAT scores
and better grades in school overall. (Children’s Music Workshop)

Introduces children to other cultures

Through
music kids are exposed to other cultures, teaching them awareness and empathy
for others. This helps them become more accepting of other cultures at an early
age.

My
daughter recently started taking piano lessons. As I sat in the room observing
her first lesson, I witnessed something. As she played her first chord, a smile
spread across her face. It was clear she has a true love for music. To me, this
makes the cost of lessons worth it. Each family will have to weigh the overall
price of music lessons against their child’s enjoyment of music and the many
benefits to decide whether music lessons are truly worth the cost.